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The Ultimate “Star Wars” Flex: A $1,000 LEGO Death Star

LEGO and “Star Wars” fans, this is either your dream come true or your bank account’s worst nightmare. The toy giant just unveiled its most expensive set ever: a massive Death Star priced at $1,000.

Yes, you read that right. One thousand bucks. FOR LEGOS.

This isn’t just any set, though. It’s part of LEGO’s Ultimate Collector Series and it’s loaded with details. The cross-section-style Death Star includes 9,023 pieces and comes with 38 mini-figures, featuring multiple versions of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Basically, you’ll have enough characters to reenact most of the original trilogy in your living room.

Instead of being a sphere like the classic movie Death Star, this version is disc-shaped, and more of a cross-section, so you can see all the different rooms. Builders will recognize iconic scenes like the trash compactor, Emperor Palpatine’s throne room, Princess Leia’s holding cell, and even the Imperial shuttle hangar. It’s less “toy” and more “Star Wars museum exhibit that just happens to live in your house.”

And if you’re already calculating where you could possibly put it, start measuring now. The finished build is 28 inches tall, 32 inches wide, and 11 inches deep. Translation: it’s going to dominate whatever shelf, table, or entire corner of your apartment you decide to sacrifice to it.

The new Death Star launches October 4th, but hardcore fans can sign up now for early access on Lego.com. Translation: it’s going to sell out faster than the Millennium Falcon made the Kessel Run.

This set isn’t just a flex for LEGO collectors, it’s also part of a bigger trend. High-end LEGO kits have become wildly popular in recent years, with many adults treating them as both a hobby and an investment. Some retired sets now resell for thousands more than their original price. So yes, $1,000 sounds steep, but some fans might argue it’s less of a purchase and more of a future collectible.

Whether you see it as an art piece, a stress-relieving project, or just an excuse to spend weekends saying, “Sorry, can’t hang out, I’m rebuilding the Death Star,” one thing is clear: this is LEGO going full Sith Lord on your wallet.

NFL Mascots, Ranked by Weight

The NFL is back. And so are all of its fans obsessing over the strangest stats. But forget passing yards, forget Super Bowl rings — apparently the only stat that matters is “how much does your mascot weigh?” DraftKings cooked up this masterpiece of science, and the results range from a Boeing 747 to… a bird that weighs less than a chicken nugget.

At the top, the New York Jets stroll in with a 110,000-pound Boeing, because nothing screams “intimidating mascot” quite like delayed departures and lost luggage.

Right behind them is the New York Giants, apparently represented by an actual giant weighing in at 20,000 pounds. That’s not a football team—that’s a Godzilla reboot.

Meanwhile, the Texans’ “mythical titan” somehow tips the scale at 10,000 pounds, which raises the question: how is a mythological TITAN not at the TOP of this list? It could be a million pounds for all we know.

The middle of the pack is a zoo gone wrong. Lions (420 pounds), jaguars (250), and dolphins (600) all line up like Noah’s Ark with season tickets. Imagine the poor Bighorn Sheep (300 pounds) having to square off against a jet engine. It’s less “Sunday Night Football” and more “Planet Earth with Al Michaels.”

But it’s the humans that get me. Several teams—Packers, Steelers, Cowboys, etc.—are just… people. Regular old 200-pound humans.

You’re telling me a flesh-and-blood Green Bay fan with a cheesehead is supposed to stand toe-to-toe with a 2,000-pound bison? Good luck, buddy.

The real comedy is at the bottom:

  • Browns? Apparently, an elf is 40 pounds.
  • Seahawks? An osprey, 4 pounds.
  • Falcons? Peregrine falcon, 3 pounds.
  • Cardinals? A sad 1.5 ounces.

Yes, you read that right—Arizona’s mascot weighs less than a Fun-Size Snickers bar. Even the Baltimore Ravens mascot manages a solid 3 pounds, but Arizona is basically flapping around with a feather and a dream.

But the Chargers lightning bolt is the lightest of them all. Weighing NOTHING.

So next time you wonder why the Jets’ season feels like a crash landing, remember—they’re the only team whose mascot literally requires a runway.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Sep 7-13

Colbert’s new gig, 2015 Super Bowl favorites, one billion waffles, and drunk sex. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Stephen Colbert made his “Late Show” debut

People wondered if he could do more than just his “Colbert Report” character… and some were just disappointed the character got abandoned. His first guests were George Clooney and Jeb Bush, with musical guest Mavis Staples & Friends. In July 2025, CBS announced it would cancel “Late Show” after its 11th season in 2026.

Waffle House sold its one billionth waffle

A woman in Atlanta named Shanneil McCollum ordered (and presumably) ate it. Many people thought they should have given her free waffles for life. Instead, she got a special plaque, some Waffle House swag, and they comped her meal.

A drunk couple banged in broad daylight and did an epic interview

Kimberly  Jackson and her beau Earl Palmer got it on in the middle of a busy parking lot in Norfolk, Virginia. They went viral after a reporter asked, “Is something like this gonna happen again?” Kim’s response: “No.” Earl’s response: “I don’t know.”

Justin Bieber was the youngest male artist to debut at #1

Believe it or not, “What Do You Mean?” was also his first ever #1 hit. Up to that point, his greatest success from a charts standpoint was “Boyfriend,” which hit #2 in 2012. (“Baby” peaked at #5 in 2010.)

The Seahawks were Super Bowl favorites

Stats guru Nate Silver thought the Seahawks and Packers had the best shot, and bettors agreed. Both teams made the playoffs but lost their divisional match-ups. The Denver Broncos ended up beating the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

The “Songs of the Summer” were…

Depending on where you got your music, there were four of them: “Cheerleader” by OMI was Billboard’s “Song of the Summer”… YouTube’s biggest hit was “Watch Me” by Silento… Spotify’s was “Lean On” by Major Lazer… and Google Play’s top track was “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa.

The highest-paid TV actresses were…

Sophia Vergara and Kaley Cuoco. “Forbes” clocked them both at $28.5 million in yearly earnings. Sofia’s “Modern Family” castmate Julie Bowen was third at $12 million. Meanwhile, Kaley’s “Big Bang Theory” castmates had just dominated the men’s list.

Rumors swirled that Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton were an item

Blake coyly denied he was dating his co-host from “The Voice.” They got married in 2021.

A kid fell down a well and found his missing dog

A four-year-old in Mississippi fell down a 20-foot well, and it took rescuers three-and-a-half hours to get him out. They also found his missing dog at the bottom. It had been gone for three days. He and the dog were both okay.

A high school secretary left $1.5 million for scholarships

88-year-old Lorraine Balske worked as a secretary at a Minnesota high school for 46 years. It turned out she’d left $1.5 million to a scholarship fund she helped start in 1974. No one was sure how she accumulated all that money.

This Morning Routine Can Help You Live to 100

If your morning routine is like mine, it starts and ends with a cup of coffee – and hey, if we’re (seriously) lucky, it might get us to 99! But if you want to make it to the century mark and beyond, here’s the formula.

Us roll-out-of-bed-and-crack-the-laptop types may need to set our alarm a little earlier to fit all this in. But according to the experts, it’s worth it. Doing everything on this list can add years to your life if you do them regularly.

A writer for “Real Simple“ talked to some real smart folks – experts in aging and longevity – and compiled a list of of seven morning habits that can help you live to 100. So if you’re gunning for that 100th birthday, here’s the science-backed formula to kick off your mornings – coffee included, just not as the opening act.

1. Hydrate Immediately

First things first, pour yourself a glass of water… or go outside and sip from the hose if you want, we won’t judge. Just get some agua in your body one way or another. Experts say drinking a glass of water right after you wake up helps flush out toxins, kick-start your metabolism, and support digestion. Coffee can wait. Water is the opening act.

2. Eat a Nutritious Breakfast

Hint: Not Frosted Flakes. Get in the habit of eating healthy in the A.M. Think fiber, produce, and protein – just not the kind you get from bacon. Loading up on nutrients in the morning sets the tone for the day and leaves you feeling energized. Good choices include oatmeal with berries, Greek yogurt with nuts, and avocado on whole-grain toast. But keeping meat to a minimum, especially the processed stuff.

3. Get Moving (Even Just a Little)

You don’t need to go full “Rocky IV” with it. Just a few minutes of stretching or a brisk walk is enough to boost circulation, improve flexibility, and gently wake up your body. Consistency beats intensity here.

4. Tap Into Your Nervous System, Literally

It might sound woo-woo, but “vagal tapping” (aka, somatic body tapping) is having a moment. It involves rhythmically tapping parts of your body with your fingers to stimulate your nervous system and help you feel alert and grounded. Look it up. You’ll either feel silly or swear by it forever. Maybe both.

5. Practice Mindfulness

A few minutes of deep breathing, meditation, journaling, prayer, or even just sitting in silence can lower your stress levels. It’s like giving your brain a warm-up lap before the chaos of the day. (Notice this is Step #5. If you try the sitting-in-silence one while still in bed, you might just fall back asleep.)

6. Set Your Intentions

What do you hope to accomplish today? Taking 60 seconds to lay out your goals can improve your focus, productivity, and mood – and leave you less stressed in the long run. It doesn’t need to be profound. Even something as simple as “I’m going to answer all my emails without rage-crying” counts. You can lay out your goals mentally. Or even better, write them down so they’ll really sink in.

7. Drink That Cup of Coffee

Your beloved cup of joe isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged. Studies have shown coffee (even decaf) can help support gut health and may reduce your risk for several chronic diseases. So yes, that morning cup still has a place – but now it’s the cherry on top, not the whole routine.

Of course, you can’t expect to live to 100 if you do all this stuff then follow it up with a Triple Baconator and two packs of Camels for lunch.

But if you can make all seven things a habit (or even three or four), chances are your new healthy attitude will spill over into your afternoons and evenings as well. So down the line, you may be eyeing triple digits.

“Siri, set a reminder to set an intention to not order a Baconator today.”

The Weird Jobs Rock Stars Had Before Fame

Before the fame, fortune, and questionable backstage antics, a lot of rock stars were just regular people with regular jobs. Okay… maybe not regular jobs. Some of these side hustles are wild, some are gross, and a few are the kind of thing you only admit after a couple of drinks.

Here’s the breakdown of what your favorite rock icons were doing before they became legends:

  • Ozzy Osbourne – The Prince of Darkness started out cutting open cow carcasses at a slaughterhouse. Yep, meat hooks before microphones.
  • Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) – Handled fish guts at a seafood company. Glamorous? Not exactly. Slimy? Absolutely.
  • Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead) – Hung out with greatness early on as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. That’s basically a rock ‘n’ roll internship.
  • Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) – Before defining grunge, he was pushing a mop as a janitor. Smells like bleach spirit.
  • Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses) – Worked as a manager at Tower Records, probably alphabetizing the bands he’d eventually outsell.
  • Corey Taylor (Slipknot) – Sold adult toys and movies in a porn shop. Masked metal mayhem feels like the logical next step.
  • Debbie Harry (Blondie) – Rock’s coolest blonde once worked as a Playboy Bunny in New York City.
  • Courtney Love – Stripped in Los Angeles to make ends meet. Considering her chaotic stage presence, this actually tracks.
  • Rob Zombie – Got his start in children’s TV of all places, working as a production assistant on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”. That explains a lot, honestly.
  • Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) – Shredded clothes before he shredded guitars, working as an exotic dancer for bachelorette parties.
  • Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) – Inked skin as a tattoo artist before yelling about doing it “all for the nookie.”

See? Not all legends are born with a guitar in their hands. Some are armed with mops, fish guts, or a stack of tattoo needles. So the next time you’re stuck at your 9-to-5, just remember: even Ozzy started off elbow-deep in cow carcasses, and look how that turned out.

Chocolate Tastes Better… If You Eat It with This Song

As if chocolate wasn’t already carrying the team, science has decided to give it a hype track.

A researcher in the U.K., Dr. Natalie Hyacinth, has composed a piece of music that supposedly makes chocolate taste even better when you listen to it. Because clearly what chocolate was missing all this time… was taste.

Dr. Hyacinth reviewed 60 years of research on something called multisensory integration… basically how your brain smashes together different senses to shape experiences. Then she used it to write a tune built around “flavor-enhancing sonic qualities” like pitch, tempo, and harmony. Translation: chocolate now has a theme song.

It’s called “Sweetest Melody.” It’s about 64 seconds long, and that’s no accident… that’s roughly how long it takes a piece of chocolate to melt in your mouth. (If it melts faster than that, it might have been a ‘pocket chocolate,’ amirite?)

The track is now on Spotify and YouTube, so you can test it yourself. Just grab some chocolate, press play, and see if it suddenly tastes like you’re eating Godiva on a silk pillow.

Worst-case scenario, you’re still eating chocolate while vibing to music, which is about as close as adulthood gets to “living the dream.”

Science has shown for years that high-pitched sounds make things taste sweeter, low tones bring out bitterness, and tempo can change intensity. But until now, no one had the courage to say, “What if we used this power… to encourage chocolate consumption?”

So next time you unwrap a Hershey bar, skip the background Netflix noise and let “Sweetest Melody” serenade your taste buds. Who knows? With the right playlist, maybe even candy corn could taste edible.

(Here’s video of Dr. Hyacinth talking about the experience.)

Everyone Is Doing It: “The Great Lock-In”

You know that thing where you decide you’re going to “make a big healthy change,” but then you purposely stall until January 1st so you can call it a New Year’s Resolution? And then, like clockwork, you bail on it three weeks later, usually right after you buy the yoga mat, but before you ever take the tags off?

Well, good news: now you don’t have to wait until January to disappoint yourself!

There’s a new trend on TikTok called “The Great Lock-In.”

The premise: pick a goal now, and commit to it through the end of 2025. Basically, it’s like New Year’s Resolutions, but with less champagne and more “why did I agree to this?” energy.

It doesn’t even have to be fitness. You can lock in on literally anything: some side-project at work, reading more, finally learning how to cook something besides pasta, or just promising yourself you’ll delete DoorDash for at least one week.

And of course, people are posting their Lock-Ins on social media… because in 2025, if you don’t announce your personal growth online, does it even count?

If this all sounds familiar, that’s because it is. People are already pointing out it’s basically a reboot of last year’s “Winter Arc”, or “75 Hard”, or every other challenge where you go too hard for a few weeks and then reward yourself with tacos.

But hey… maybe that’s the point. Why fail in January when you can fail right now? At least you’ll be ahead of schedule.

Paris Jackson Isn’t Having It With the Michael Biopic: “There’s Full-Blown Lies”

Paris Jackson is not holding back when it comes to the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael”. Despite claims that the late King of Pop’s children were on board with the project, Paris is making it clear she’s not buying it.

Paris said she had almost zero involvement in the film, aside from giving feedback on the first draft of the script. And even then, she says her notes were ignored. “I wasn’t involved at all,” she explained. “The narrative is being controlled and there’s a lot of inaccuracy and full-blown lies. I prefer honesty over sales and monetary gain.”

Her comments come after Colman Domingo, who plays family patriarch Joe Jackson in the movie, suggested that Paris and her brother Prince had been supportive. Paris, though, says she’s only met Domingo twice, and both times were extremely brief. In her words, she’s decided to “butt out” since it’s “not my project,” adding she’d rather “keep minding my business.”

The controversy highlights just how tricky biopics can be, especially when the subject’s closest family members feel sidelined.

Fans of Michael Jackson will no doubt be eager to see how the story plays out on screen, but Paris’s public pushback suggests audiences should be cautious about taking everything at face value.

This isn’t the first time a high-profile biopic has been accused of rewriting history for drama or box office appeal. From “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “Elvis”, debates often swirl around whether these films should prioritize accuracy or entertainment. For Paris, the answer seems clear: the truth matters more than ticket sales.

“Michael” is slated to hit theaters on April 24th of next year, but the conversation around it is already heating up. Whether the controversy will hurt or help the film’s success remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Paris Jackson isn’t afraid to set the record straight, even if Hollywood would rather she didn’t.

Steve from “Blue’s Clues” Will Interview a Porn Star on His New Podcast

Steve Burns from Blue’s Clues is back, but this time he’s trading in his handy-dandy notebook for a microphone. Steve’s new podcast Alive launches September 17, and let’s be clear: this is not kids’ stuff.

Yes, Steve might forever be remembered as the friendly host who helped preschoolers solve paw-print mysteries, but his new show is made for adults. Case in point, one of his first guests is Maitland Ward, the former Boy Meets World star who left sitcoms behind for a career in adult film. That’s… a pretty big leap from mail time.

And she’s not the only unexpected name joining Steve. Other confirmed guests include Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, Congressman Ro Khanna, and the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis.

The topics? Heavy ones, like sex and death, which is about as far as you can get from singing about the color blue with a cartoon puppy.

For anyone tempted to crown him the next Mr. Rogers, Steve has already shut that down. He told People, “That is a weight that I do not wish to carry around, and that is a bar that I cannot possibly… no one could possibly… live up to. That dude should be on our money.” He added, with classic self-deprecating humor, “I’m just a neurotic bald guy who is sitting next to you, a fellow traveler on the struggle bus.”

Steve has popped up in recent years to give nostalgic pep talks that hit Millennials right in the feels, so fans already know he has a way of tackling deep topics with honesty. Alive looks like his chance to expand that voice into longer, more unfiltered conversations.

So if you grew up with Steve helping you find “a clue, a clue,” get ready for a version of him that’s wiser, funnier, and a lot more candid. Just don’t expect any handy-dandy notebooks.

Your Fantasy Football Team Needs a Name… Let’s Make It Legendary

You’ve already put in the hard work: scouting stats, mocking drafts, and locker-room mind games. But before you begin your journey to being crowned league champion, there’s one crucial (and often hilariously fun) step left: naming your team. Sure, it won’t guarantee a win this Sunday… but a clever name does bring swagger to the (fantasy) gridiron.

As Draft Sharks puts it, it’s part comedy, part identity crisis, and a whole lot of “I’m already winning” vibes.

Top Picks from the Draft Sharks Hall of Fame

Here are some crowd-pleasers, straight from Draft Sharks, that span the spectrum from punny and pop-culture savvy to downright ridiculous… in the best way possible:

Puns & Player Plays

  • Jalen Hurts So Good
  • CeeDee EeeEffGee
  • Charbonnet Sauvignon

General Comedy Gold

  • Lamar the Merrier
  • TushPushers
  • Victorious Secret
  • Show Me Your TDs

Outrageously Inappropriate (PG-13?), proceed with caution:

  • Giving Me a Chubb
  • Dicker? I Barely Know Her
  • Jackin Goff

Creatively Clever & Thematic

  • YAC Commanders (yes, that’s “yards after catch,” and a reference to the Commanders)
  • Force Fumble Society
  • Olave Garden

Girls-Only or Empowered League Fun

  • Slay the Play
  • Beauty and the Cleats
  • The Real Housewives of Fantasy

Nerdy/Movie/Star Wars Mash-ups

  • Tolkien About Practice
  • Darth Maul the Goal Line
  • Guardians of the Gridiron
  • Super Mario TDs

PG-Workplace Safe

  • Fourth and Goal Getters
  • Fantasy Franchise Players
  • Monday Meeting Madness

Taylor Swift-Inspired

  • Jonathan Taylor’s Version
  • Shake It Goff
  • Anti-Hero RB

Kelce-centric

  • Kelce’s Kingdom
  • Mr. Swift and Co.
  • Oh Say Can You Kelce?

And that’s just scratching the surface.

Why It Matters (Even If It Doesn’t)

Draft Sharks reminds us: the name won’t help you triumph. But it does score laughs, sets a tone, and makes you remember-able. Nobody wants to be stuck with “Team 7” or “Untitled Franchise” amid a sea of zingers.

DIY Name Game: How to Brainstorm Something Brilliant

  1. Start with your roster
    Did you grab a standout player or sleeper later in the draft? Use their name to spin a pun.
  2. Spin in some pop-culture
    Music, movies, memes… blend your football stars with trends. Think “Blank Space Cowboys” or “Ja’Marrvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
  3. Leverage inside jokes
    A high-school teacher’s catchphrase, a roommate’s weird nickname… anything that makes your league laugh.
  4. Puns win
    They don’t have to be perfect: even “Rhamondre 3000” rides the wave of space names plus player name.
  5. Tone check for sensitivity
    Funny isn’t always appropriate. Draft Sharks reminds us: keep it fun, keep it league-friendly.
  6. Stay thematic or topical (lightly)
    Swifties, Star Wars fans, workplace warriors… lean on what your league loves, just don’t go overboard.
  7. Run it by the group (if you care)
    If two people pick the same pun, level up or double-down on the joke.

Game Plan Summary

  • Naming your fantasy team is as much about attitude as it is identity: funny, cheeky, clever.
  • Draft Sharks’ picks give you a playground filled with inspiration… from crude to classy.
  • Follow a few simple rules: roster-based, pop-culture-tuned, pun-happy, mood-aware.
  • Most importantly: have fun with it. If your name cracks you up, it’s already a win.

Fantasy isn’t just about who’s starting on Sunday… it’s about having a blast and the mindset leading up to it. May your team’s name echo through chat rooms and smack-talk threads for seasons to come. Best of luck, and may your named squad bring you glory… or at least a good chuckle (or groan, if you’re into that sort of thing).

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